Unterwegs – September 29, 2023

DAY OF GERMAN REUNIFICATION

OCT. 3 – GERMAN NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Tuesday marks the 33rd anniversary of German reunification. All stores and public offices will be closed to observe the holiday. Also see this week’s ABC in KMC for background details.

KREUZBERG REUNION

SEP. 30, 6 P.M., CHINATOWN/GLEIWITZSTRASSE 11, ZWEIBRÜCKEN

Kreuzberg Kaserne closed its gates for the last time 30 years ago. Former employees and anyone interested is invited to a get-together on Sep. 30. If you have old photos, bring them with you. Please RSVP at Kreuzberg.2010@yahoo.de.

END OF SUMMER CLIMBING EVENT IN ENGLISH

SEP. 30, 10 A.M.-2 P.M., DAV KLETTERZENTRUM/ BARBAROSSAHALLE, LUDWIG-THOMA-STR. 1, KL

Fans of climbing events are in for a fun-filled day at the climbing gym in Kaiserslautern. Meet new German and American friends, show your skills and get fit for upcoming fall and winter. For details, contact Lisa Maria Wagner (English speaker) at email: lmwagner1112@gmail.com

GERMAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP CONCERT

OCT. 3, 8 P.M., FRUCHTHALLE, KAISERSLAUTERN

The United States Army Europe and Africa Band & Chorus is hosting a free concert in Kaiserslautern in the mark of German-American friendship in the region. The band, conducted by Lt. Colonel Scott McKenzie, is the largest music formation of the U.S. Army outside of the United States. Its repertoire reaches from classic music to contemporary pieces and the concert will present a diverse selection. A limited number of tickets will be available that evening until 7.30 p.m. at the box office on a first-come, first-serve basis.

AUTOFREIES EISTAL (CAR-FREE DAY)

OCT. 3, 10 A.M.-6.30 P.M., EISWOOG TO OBRIGHEIM

The road between Eiswoog (lake) and Obrigheim will be blocked for vehicle traffic. There will be plenty of refreshment and snack booths along the 20-kilometer distance along with fun activities. The Stumpfwaldbahn (starting at Eiswoog) will be in operation. Don’t miss out on this great day in the Palatinate forest for bikers, inline skaters, scooter riders, skateboarders and pedestrians.

ILLUMININALE (BLAZES OF LIGHT AND FESTIVAL FUN)

SEP. 29-30, 7 P.M.-MIDNIGHT, CITY CENTER, TRIER

When the days gradually become shorter, we need a light to light up the late summer darkness. The Illuminale not only brings us this light but also an entire host of radiance to downtown Trier — and in the form of extravagant light installations, walking acts and hands-on activities. The light festival will be held around the Cathedral, in the triangle of Windstrasse, Sieh um Dich, Rindertanz Square, and Flanderstrasse and will offer food services, drinks, and entertainment along with many places and installations to admire. For details, visit www.trier-info.de

SYMPHONY CONCERT

SEP. 29, 7.30 P.M., FRUCHTHALLE, KAISERSLAUTERN

The Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern will hold a concert conducted by Pietari Inkinen and solo pianist Alexander Gadjiev. The concert will include pieces from Tannhauser, Brahms and others. Tickets at Tourist Info Kaiserslautern, Tel. 0631 365-2316 or at the box office.

MITTELALTERMARKT AM GELTERSWOOG (MEDIEVAL MARKET)

SEP. 30-OCT. 3, GELTERWOOG

If you missed out on the first Medieval Market this year, this is your chance to experience jugglers, fire artists, ladies in traditional robe, knights in shining armor. Step into the Middle Ages with music, food and drink, a fire show and activities for kids.

BAUERNMARKT (FARMERS MARKET)

OCT. 1, 10 A.M.-6 P.M., CITY CENTER, RAMSTEIN

The market will offer regional produce, a craft market and a colorful display of goods to get into the autumn spirit. Shops will be open for Sunday shopping from 1-6 p.m.

ENSEMBLEKONZERT

OCT. 3, 11 A.M., SWR STUDIO/EMMERICH-SMOLA-HALL, KAISERSLAUTERN

Enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning concert with members of the German Radio Philharmonics: Sebastian Matthes violin, Stefan Zillmann clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone, Randolf Stöck piano and others. Tickets at reservix.de, or SWR studio Tel. 0631-36228 395 51

DEUTSCHES WEINLESEFEST (WINE HARVEST FEST)

UNTIL OCT 9, NEUSTADT AN DER WEINSTRASSE

Make sure to visit Germany’s second largest wine fest in Neustadt. The fest offers excellent wines, local specialties, rides, vendors and crowning of the German wine queen on Oct 6. The highlight of the event will take place on Sun, Oct 8 with a colorful parade. Visitors are encouraged to use trains from Kaiserslautern while enjoying a relaxing ride through the beautiful autumn colored valley. For details, see https://www.neustadt.eu/Wein-Tourismus/Deutsches-Weinlesefest

OKTOBERFEST

UNTIL OCT. 3, THERESIENWIESE, MUNICH

The world’s largest beer fest is scheduled to start with the parade of the brewery horses and tapping of the keg on Sat. 16. Large tents with music and Bavarian Händl (rotary chicken), a multitude of exciting rides, vendors, food, drinks and sweets invite international guests to 17 days of lively Bavarian spirit.

CANNSTADTER WASEN (BEER FEST)

UNTIL OCT. 8, FESTPLATZ, STUTTGART/CANNSTADT

Enjoy Germany’s second largest beer fest with exciting rides, giant beer tents, vendors, food and drink. The fest is somewhat smaller than Oktoberfest in Munich and more relaxed. Trains will be available from Kaiserslautern and transfer to the fairgrounds in Cannstadt. For details see: https://www.cannstatter-volksfest.de

KAISERSLAUTERN CITY TOUR IN ENGLISH

OCT. 7, 11:15 A.M., TOURIST OFFICE, KAISERSLAUTERN

If you are interested in getting to know the local area during your stay in Germany, take part in an English guided tour in the City of Kaiserslautern! The tourist information offers guided English tours of the ruins of Casimir Castle, the Count Palatinate Hall and the 70-meter long underground tunnels. Further tours will take place once a month until Nov. The meeting place is the Tourist Information next to the Fruchthalle and the tour takes about 1.5 hours. Registration is required at touristinformation@kaiserslautern.de or Tel. 0631 365 2316.

KESCHDEFESCHD (CHESTNUT FESTIVAL)

OCT. 7-8, AM MESSPLATZ, ANNWEILER AM TRIFELS

Enjoy a wide selection of regional products made of chestnuts! There will be sweet variations such as jelly, liqueur or hearty dishes such as soup, tarte flambee, bread, dumplings and even chestnut beer. In addition, the market offers dished made of game, new wine, steam dumplings, crepes, fruits and vergetable, French cheese and sheep cheese. On Saturday the Chestnut Princess will be crowned and live musical entertainment on both days. Don’t miss out on the fun below Castle Trifels where King Richard the Lionhearted was held captive. www.trifelsland.de